Leonardo Bonucci Reflects on Career Decisions: Turning Down Manchester City and PSG for AC Milan

One of the greatest defenders of his time, Leonardo Bonucci, recently provided insight into a pivotal period in his career: his decision to leave Juventus in 2017 and the attention he sparked from some of the best teams in Europe. When Bonucci made the decision to leave Juventus, he disclosed in an interview with Sky that Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain were keen to sign him. He eventually decided to stay in Italy in spite of the money offers that were on the table, joining AC Milan in one of the most well-known transactions in Serie A that year.

“When I decided to leave Juventus in 2017, both Manchester City and PSG wanted me,” Bonucci said. “They also sent a financial proposal but… I wanted to stay in Italy and I decided to join AC Milan.” This choice marked a sea change in his professional life and influenced the course of his subsequent adventures in Italian football. Although it may have been tempting to play for a Premier League winner or a top Ligue 1 team, Bonucci chose to take on a new challenge in Serie A in order to maintain his presence in his native country.

The Italian defender’s admission clarifies how near he was to working under Pep Guardiola, one of the game’s most renowned coaches. Guardiola’s desire was already known, according to Bonucci, who said, “Pep already wanted me at Man City in summer 2016.” This demonstrates how much Guardiola valued Bonucci’s defensive prowess, especially his ability to create play from the back, which is a crucial facet of Guardiola’s tactical approach. Bonucci’s throwing range, vision, and composure on the ball would have made him a great addition to Manchester City’s defensive line.

Even though they had similar interests, Bonucci ultimately made a different decision. A major change came with the 2017 choice to join AC Milan after seven brilliant seasons with Juventus. His transfer to Milan, where the team hopes to reclaim its old grandeur, was viewed as a statement. The decision by Bonucci to stay in Italy was motivated by both his desire to take on new challenges in a comfortable setting and his loyalty to the nation and its footballing culture, which added a strong emotional element to the transfer.

That being said, there were difficulties with the transfer to AC Milan. Even though Bonucci was brought in with high expectations, Milan struggled to regain its position among Italy’s elite during his tenure. Although Bonucci provided leadership and experience to the defense during the club’s transitioning period, the player’s and the team’s expectations were not met by the on-field outcomes. In 2018, after just one season away, Bonucci rejoined Juventus, where he rekindled his friendship with Giorgio Chiellini and further cemented his reputation as one of the most dependable defenders in Serie A.

If Bonucci had decided to sign with Manchester City in 2017, he could have emerged as a key player in Guardiola’s developing project and contributed significantly to their aspirations both at home and abroad. In a similar vein, a transfer to PSG may have allowed him to anchor the defense among elite players in Ligue 1, providing a new kind of challenge. His choice to remain in Italy, however, emphasizes the significance of cultural and personal elements in a player’s career decisions, even in the presence of significant financial incentives.

A unique window into the thought process of elite athletes and the considerations they devote to factors other than money is provided by Bonucci’s remarks. For Bonucci, the thought of playing in new leagues with Manchester City or PSG was less alluring than the coziness of playing in Italy and the chance to join a legendary team like AC Milan. Although this choice deviates from many people’s expectations, Bonucci is known for being a player who values consistency and loyalty in both his personal and professional life.

When Bonucci looks back on this phase of his career, it’s clear that his decisions have been motivated by more than just short-term success or monetary gain. He took up the challenges of a new enterprise in Italy by selecting Milan over Manchester or Paris. With all of its highs and lows, this voyage has added to the rich tapestry of his career and cemented his place among the greatest defensive players of modern Italy. Although supporters could speculate about what might have happened if Bonucci had signed with PSG or Manchester City, he is still a player whose choices were motivated by a stronger sense of identity and purpose in Italian football.